Photo requirements
US Passport 2x2 inch (51х51 mm)
A guide to U.S. passport photographs: compare paper applications with online renewal, prepare an unaltered portrait and check the instructions for your submission route.
- Printed size
- 51 × 51 mm (printed)
- Background
- White or off-white
- Official reference
- U.S. Department of State
- Source verified
Glasses: remove them unless medically necessary
Remove glasses before taking the photo. If medical reasons prevent removal, include a signed doctor’s note with the application. Do not treat clear lenses as an automatic exception.
Make this photo now
Use the selected format in the passport photo tool.
Photo requirements
Photo specification
Use these values as a preparation guide and confirm current official instructions.
| Printed size | 51 × 51 mm (printed) |
|---|---|
| Digital dimensions | Check the application channel below |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Head height | 25–35 mm |
| File and resolution | Check the application channel below |
Lighting setup: what to change
A ceiling light can darken the eyes. Move to face a broad window and check the original photograph for shadows.
Original teaching diagram, not an accepted/rejected applicant photograph. Even lighting still needs checking in your actual image.
More photo requirements for United States
- US Citizenship (naturalization) 2x2 inch (51x51 mm)
- USA CCHI ID badge 3x3 inch
- US Employment Authorization 2x2 inch (51x51 mm)
- USA bar examination online 300x300 pixels
- USA FOID 1.25x1.5 inch
- US NY MTA Metrocard for Seniors - 38.1x50.8 mm
- US NFA ATF form 2x2 inch
- USA Nursing License 2x2 inch
- US NY Gun License 1.5x1.5 inch
- USA PADI certification card 45x57 mm (1.75x2.25 inch)
- USA SAT 2x2 inch
- US Veteran ID Card 2x2 inch
- USA welding certificate 2x2 inch
- US passport card 2x2 inch
- US Green Card (Permanent Resident) 2x2"
- USA advance parole 2x2 inch
- USA crew visa 2x2 inch
- US Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery - 600x600 px
- USA Form I-130 2x2 inch
- USA Re-entry Permit 2x2 inch
- USCIS 2x2 inch
- US Visa 2x2 inch (600x600 px, 51x51mm)
Paper application and online renewal are different
| Route | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Paper application | One recent 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) colour photograph on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. The head must measure 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head. |
| Online renewal | Upload a digital original using the dedicated renewal instructions. Do not scan a printed photo or reuse the visa upload specification. The application provides its own positioning and crop workflow. |
| Visa application | A visa is a separate document and workflow. DS-160 file limits are not universal passport limits; use the visa instructions if that is your actual application. |
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
- U.S. Department of State · Upload a digital photoOnline passport renewal
A recent likeness, not a retouched portrait
"Use a photograph taken within the last six months. It should show how you look now; do not reuse the photo from an older passport simply because the dimensions still match. A significant change in appearance may require a new photograph."
"Do not use filters, retouch facial features, remove the background or generate a replacement portrait with AI. If the wall, shadows or facial detail are unsuitable, change the shooting setup and take another photo. File preparation and altering your appearance are different operations."
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
- U.S. Department of State · Upload a digital photoOnline passport renewal
Taking the photograph at home
Ask someone to take it
Use a plain white or off-white background. Have another person take the photograph; avoid a handheld selfie and its close-range distortion.
Balance the light
As a practical setup, face a broad light source and move away from the wall until shadows disappear. Check both cheeks and the area behind the head.
Face the camera
Keep the face fully visible and look straight at the lens. Use a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. The official examples also allow a restrained smile with the mouth closed. Keep the entire head in frame.
Review the original
Inspect the eyes, hairline and skin detail at full size. Retake motion blur or strong shadows instead of smoothing or selectively repainting the face.
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
Glasses and head coverings: exceptions need evidence
"Remove glasses. If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, include a signed statement from your doctor. Ordinary prescription glasses are not automatically exempt; do not digitally erase the frames."
"Religious or medical head coverings have separate documentation requirements. The whole face must remain visible and the covering must not cast shadows. Review the official instructions for the statement or certificate that applies to your circumstances; a software checker cannot approve an exception."
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
Photographing a baby safely
"Only the child should appear in the photograph. Keep the face directed towards the camera and avoid hands, toys or a supporting adult in the frame. For a baby or infant, the eyes do not have to be entirely open; this is not permission for an obscured face."
"A practical arrangement is to lay the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet and photograph from above without casting a shadow. Have an adult supervise throughout. Do not leave the baby unsupported to achieve a particular camera angle."
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
Online renewal: work from the original digital file
"Follow the digital-photo page linked below for accepted formats, file size and upload instructions. Those requirements belong to passport renewal, not DS-160. Keep a copy of the original so that you can restart without stacking repeated crops or recompression."
"Do not upload a scan of a printed photograph. Follow the renewal application’s own framing instructions instead of preparing a paper-sized scan. If the upload rejects the file, read the actual error: file format, file size and photo content require different corrections."
- U.S. Department of State · Upload a digital photoOnline passport renewal
Before you submit
Correct route
Confirm that you prepared a passport photograph for the route you are using, rather than a visa upload.
Measure the print
For paper applications, measure the finished 2 × 2 in photograph and the head height. Disable fit-to-page scaling; screen size is not print size.
Inspect the likeness
Check recency, visible eyes, background and shadows. Compare with the original and discard edited or distorted versions.
Separate upload from acceptance
A successful upload or IDPIC check does not constitute approval by the Department of State. Respond to the application’s actual instructions if a replacement is requested.
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
- U.S. Department of State · Upload a digital photoOnline passport renewal
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about creating and submitting this document photo.
Do the 240 KB visa upload limits apply to online passport renewal?
Do not transfer DS-160 visa limits to passport renewal. Use the separate Department of State digital-photo instructions and the current renewal upload screen.
Can I keep my glasses on for a U.S. passport photo?
Remove glasses unless you cannot do so for medical reasons. In that case, include a signed note from your doctor. Clear prescription lenses alone are not an exemption.
Does a successful tool check guarantee acceptance?
No. A tool check or successful upload is not an official acceptance decision. Keep the original portrait, avoid changing your appearance and retake unsuitable lighting or blur. The receiving authority decides whether the photograph is acceptable.
Official reference
- U.S. Department of State · Passport photosPaper passport applicationsSource verified
- U.S. Department of State · Upload a digital photoOnline passport renewal